Elder William LeRoy "Pie" Parker, Sr.

     Elder William LeRoy (Pie) Parker, Sr., departed this life on Sunday July 27, 2025 surrounded by his family at the age of 81. He died one month before his 82nd birthday. He was born on August 27, 1943 to the late Dorsey and Della M. Anderson Parker.

      William’s (Pie) early education was at the Pierre S. DuPont Elementary School in Harrington, where he began some running. He graduated from William Henry High School, Dover, DE in 1961. While there, he was a stellar track star athlete. In fact, he ran track in competitions in success well into his early sixties. He graduated from Delaware State (College) University of Dover, Delaware with a bachelors degree in accounting in 1975.

      On October 21, 1961, William (Pie) married his high school sweetheart Mary Louise Bordley Parker. They were married 62 years. From this union, they were blessed with six children: William, Jr., Wanda, Maranda, Marvin, Maurice, and Micah.

      William (Pie) began working at a very early age. He loved working with horses. He would travel all over Delaware, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey attending to the horses before and after the races. He was always a worker bee to make ends meet for his family. He was truly a jack of all trades and ruler of none. He worked pretty good with wood building some bricking, and cement for driveways.

      William (Pie) went to work for Playtex Apparel for 37 years. Before retiring from Playtex, he began with a lawncare service for the surrounding areas. He kept up his lawncare services until his health began to fail him.

      William (Pie) had a few fun time outlets. He was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan. He loved traveling, pitching horseshoes, playing softball with his family and church family. Many trophies for the above mentioned. He loved attending to the horses. He had a passion for all things with church. His greatest love was his music. He was very young when he began his singing for Christ. He was a member of the Harrington Harmoneers and then he got together his very own group, The Sermonettes. He was the only manager for more than 50 years – that’s more than five decades!! He would say, “You have to put in the work if you want to be good”. You could hear him coming down the street singing as if he was singing to a full audience. He took that group to sing in the prisons, many churches, nursing homes, Harrington Heritage Day, and the African Festival just to name a few. He was the lead, tenor, and some baritone. William’s (Pie) voice has been silenced for a little while. He’s just resting waiting for the Lord to call for him from his sleep and slumber to be in Heaven above. Just know, William loved the Lord.

     William (Pie) took his family in the early 1960’s to the Bethuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Dover where he became an ordained Elder. He completed his journey here in the Mount Carmel Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Over the years, he has held many offices.

     William (Pie) was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Louise Bordley Parker, his parents, Dorsey and Della Parker, three brothers: Franklin, Dorsey S., and George Parker; one sister, Hester Jean and husband Johnny Fryer, Sr., two great grandchildren Kameran Darryll and baby girl Parker.

     William (Pie) leaves to cherish his memories six children: William LeRoy Parker, Jr. (Sharon) of Camden, DE; Wanda L. Parker of Dover, DE; Maranda L. Thompkins (Aaron, Sr.) of Dover, DE; Marvin L. Parker (Dina) of Lincoln, DE; Maurice L. Parker, Sr., (Michele) of Felton, DE; Micah L. Parker (Sissy) of Harrington, DE; and the first born grandson he helped raise, Micah L. Parker, Sr. (Kelly) of Felton, DE; as well as Jason Dowdell Parker of Chattanooga, TN; 24 more grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; two sisters, Mary “Wheatie” Harris (James, Sr.) of Star Hill, DE; Linda Casson (Larry) of Harrington, DE; two brothers, Allen and Donald Parker of Harrington, DE; one sister-in-law, Shirley Williams (George) of New Castle, DE; five God children: Andrea Conaway, Jawon Alexander, Brian Murray, Gianna Spence, and JJ Willis; A host of niece, nephews, cousins, friends, and ALL present and past Sermonette members.

      A funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Mt. Carmel Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 103 Mechanic Street, Harrington, DE 19952 where there will be a viewing from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Thursday.  Burial will follow in Hollywood Cemetery, Harrington.  Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com. 

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